(TibetanReview.net, Feb18, 2018) – India has on Feb 16 strongly rejected China’s criticism of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the northeastern border state of Arunachal Pradesh. It said the leaders and people of India had the right to visit the state, calling it an integral part of the country.

China had, on Feb 15, expressed “firm opposition” to Mr Modi’s visit to the state, claiming it is part of South Tibet and therefore Chinese territory. It spoke of planning to lodge a “stern” diplomatic protest with India.

Asked about the Chinese objection, India’s external affairs ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar has told reporters, “Arunachal Pradesh is an integral part of India. Our leaders and people have the right to visit Arunachal Pradesh.”

Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang was earlier quoted as saying by state-run Xinhua news agency, “The Chinese government has never recognised the so-called Arunachal Pradesh and is firmly opposed to the Indian leader’s visit to the disputed area.”

The India-China border dispute stretches across 3,488 km. The two sides have held 20 rounds of talks so far through their special representatives. But apart from reaching deals to maintain peace and tranquility from both the sides, a solution is nowhere near sight.

The so-called Sino-India border dispute is a result of China’s annexation of Tibet, historical a buffer state between the two Asian giants.